The Best Lip Balms With SPF, According to Dermatologists

Elta MD’s line of sunscreen is a favorite of dermatologists and Strategist editors alike. We recently named their UV Clear one of the best facial sunscreens, and this broad spectrum SPF 31 lip balm comes just as highly recommended. It’s a favorite among many of the experts we spoke with, getting a stamp of approval from plastic surgeon Dr. Joshua Zuckerman and three board-certified dermatologists: Dr. Erum Ilyas, Dr. Ohara Aivaz, and Marchbein. The doctors all note the high SPF rating as a major plus, especially because “most lip products are in the SPF 15 range,” according to Ilyas, who along with Zuckerman praises this balm’s water-resistance and use of zinc. (Both Ilyas and Zuckerman say they prefer a zinc-based “mineral” sunscreen, which sits on top of skin to physically block sun, to “chemical” sunscreens that are absorbed into skin). It also has ingredients like vitamins C and E, which “help fight free radicals and keep the lips looking smooth and young,” adds Aivaz.

Supergoop! is another skin-care line we often find ourselves recommending, especially when it comes to sunscreen. Like the Elta MD, this has a high SPF 30 rating. Celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross of Los Angeles’ SkinLab appreciates that it uses moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, which gives it a slightly less waxy consistency in comparison with other lip balms. “It goes on soft and absorbs quickly, so it’s not tacky,” he says, adding that he loves the “fresh feeling” of the mint flavor. Leila Aalam, aesthetician and founder of Beuti Skincare, says the shea butter gives it a long-lasting “silky texture.” It also has a “glossy finish,” she adds, which might put some people off, but it’s one of her favorite features. (She recommends layering the lip balm over lipstick so you get the extra sun protection and gloss.)

Another lip balm from Supergoop!, this one with more of a matte finish. It’s a waxier formula, so it should stay put longer on your lips, and you won’t need to reapply it as frequently. Maria Licari, makeup artist at Warren Tricomi Salons, says this should last for a long time — “a full day of skiing or swimming,” she says. Licari advises clients to go as “natural” as possible with their lip balms because “we sometimes [unintentionally] consume these lip balms when we eat, drink, speak, or lick our lips.” And Supergoop!’s natural formula, with easy-to-pronounce ingredients like beeswax and grapeseed oil, certainly fits that bill.

For people with sensitive skin, it can be hard to find an SPF lip balm that doesn’t include potentially irritating additives. Ilyas recommends this Vanicream lip protectant for anyone prone to irritation because it sports SPF 30 protection and “avoids the preservatives that can cause issues.” Additionally, Ilyas notes that it’s gluten-free. “Using a lip product with gluten can be a big issue if you have gluten sensitivities,” she explains. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rhonda Klein, of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut, also suggests this to patients with sensitive skin.

Machbein says Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment is basically a SPF 15 lip balm that “doubles as lipstick.” That’s why it’s a nice choice if you want the look of lipstick without sacrificing sun protection. Aesthetician Elena Duque, owner of BodyBrite Spa in Bayside, New York, likes Fresh’s Sugar lip balm as well. “It comes in a variety of sheer shades, including a sport balm that goes on clear,” she says, for those who might not want that extra color.

Alex Beale, founder of outdoor gear review site 99Boulders, is loyal to drugstore standby Carmex SPF 15. He says he’s tried “a number of different brands” over the years, but Carmex is the one that always works best.

Even the most responsible SPF-wearers slip up sometimes. For those times when lips get a little burnt or irritated, Klein recommends Dr. Dan’s healing lip balm: “It’s formulated with a blend of beeswax, petroleum jelly, mineral oil and one percent hydrocortisone, to comfort and soothe inflammation.”